As a pet owner, you want to do everything you can to keep your furry friend healthy and happy. One of the most important things you can do is establish a relationship with a local veterinary clinic and bring your pet in for regular check-ups and preventative care.
Getting to Know Your Vet
Having an established relationship with a veterinarian you know and trust will pay off tremendously over the course of your pet’s life. Scheduling routine vet visits allows your pet to become comfortable with the clinic, staff, and exam procedures. This reduces stress should they need urgent care later on.
It also allows your vet to get to know your pet’s normal behavior and baseline health indicators. Subtle changes that could signify an underlying issue are much easier to detect when the vet is familiar with your pet. These visits also help you learn your vet’s communication style and office protocols.
Preventative Care is the Best Medicine
Regular veterinary visits allow for preventative care that is crucial for long-term health. Vets can provide core vaccines, parasite prevention, flea and tick control medications, heartworm tests, and dental cleanings. They can also discuss your pet’s diet and exercise routines and make adjustments as needed.
For cats, vets are looking for signs like dental disease, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, diabetes, intestinal parasites, ear mites, and feline leukemia virus. Wellness blood work helps detect issues early.
In dogs, vets monitor for conditions like arthritis, heart disease, decaying teeth, diabetes, cancer, intestinal blockages, and organ dysfunction. Eye exams and blood work screen for common age-related issues. Preventative care increases quality of life.
Knowing When to Visit the Vet
While regular wellness exams are important, paying attention to changes between visits is also essential. Significant appetite or behavior changes, increased urination or thirst, changes in bathroom habits, limping, and weight fluctuations warrant a call to the vet.
For cats, look for increased scratching, head shaking, hair loss, or bad breath as these could signify medical issues. In dogs, scooting, body odor, and excessive licking can be signs of problems. Knowing your pet’s norms makes it easier to notice when things seem “off.”
Emergency Warning Signs
Crises requiring immediate emergency veterinary care cannot wait for a regular visit. Difficulty breathing, prolonged vomiting/diarrhea, signs of extreme pain or immobility, seizure activity, poisoning, trauma from an accident or fall, and profuse bleeding are all situations requiring emergency vet attention.
Likewise, if your pet stops eating or drinking for more than 24 hours, loses consciousness, exhibits profound lethargy, or was possibly exposed to rabies, the emergency vet is called for. Remaining observant of changes in your pet both day-to-day and at their routine vet visits is key.
The Takeaway
Establishing consistent veterinary care provides immense preventative health benefits and allows early disease detection in your pet. It also gives you the priceless peace of mind that comes from knowing you have a trusted vet to call if an emergency arises. Here’s to many happy years together with your healthy furry companion!
Elevate Your Pet’s Care with Hofmann Veterinary Clinic!
Ready to give your furry friend the best care possible? Join us at Hofmann Veterinary Clinic and ensure a lifetime of health and happiness for your pet. Contact us today to schedule routine wellness exams and access the best emergency vet services. Your pet’s well-being is our priority, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
At Hofmann Veterinary Clinic, we understand that your pet isn’t just an animal; they’re a cherished member of your family. You want the absolute best for them, and so do we. That’s why we’re passionate about emphasizing the importance of routine wellness exams.
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